I switched from a MacBook Pro running Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite to a Razer Blade Pro 2014 running Windows 8.1 in February and, while I’m very pleased with it there are a few items that, if improved, would lead me to buy a newer model.

1. Magnetic Charger (AKA MagSafe)

I have kids, and dogs. My laptop is doomed to get chucked across the room with this ultra-tight-locked-heavy-duty-not-going-to-fall-out charger. I beg you Razer, please, have mercy and give us a charger that is comparable to the MagSafe.

2. The Keyboard & Trackpad

1. Custom Printed Replaceable Keys – I’m a stickler for organization and, in this case, things being labelled properly. And, like many power users, I like to re-map my keys and create new shortcut keys that are conducive to how I use my device. Specifically, I want to reassign my function keys but I’d like the icons above them to match their assignment. I would love to have the option to get custom printed keys for my laptop at the time of purchase or after.
2. A Complete & Unified Software Solution for Keyboard Remapping and Hotkey Control – The number one issue that keeps me running back to my Mac is the lack of adequate software for keyboard customization. As I mentioned, in great detail, in the article I mentioned above, there is a desperate need for the ability to create custom Hotkeys and remap keys in Windows. Frankly, this is something Windows needs to do, but until then a company like Razer can step up to get this done. When I saw Razer Synapse and it section for the keyboard I got excited! Then I discovered it doesn’t offer hotkey creation or key remapping.
3. Smooth Scrolling – Also something that Windows needs to improve upon but, Razer could supplement in the mean time, is implementing smooth scrolling with the trackpad in the same way it’s supported for the touch screen.

Ultimately, though, what I want is a single glass keyboard (think an iPad in replace of your keyboard) with haptic feedback. In such a scenario the keys could simply be “drag-n-dropped” into a new order, customize in color and purpose in every way with ease. And, if there is a way around the patent, utilizing Apple’s principle of pressure-sensitive trackpads would seal the deal.

Frankly, they could basically just take the touch screen they implemented into the device and duplicate it, shrink it, and replace the trackpad and keyboard with that!

By Spencer Hill

Categorized in: Blade, Razer, Reviews

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